If you are looking for a simple acoustic guitar that still offers quality construction and sound, the Fender Villager 12-String is a great option.
It features a non-cutaway body with gloss poly finish, a top made of solid spruce, back and sides made of laminated mahogany, and a 24.72″ (628 mm) scale length.
You can purchase this guitar in many different stores, some of them include:
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In this post, we’ll take a close look at the Fender Villager 12-String acoustic guitar, specifically its features, tone, value, and playability.
Certain guitar features can change the entire feel and worth of the instrument so it’s very important to choose wisely.
Table of Contents
Summary
Here’s a very quick summary of the Fender Villager 12-String’s performance.
Just a heads up, these scores, and rating is our own personal opinion, so it might not match that of others out there.
Hardware
A guitar’s hardware refers to the various metal and plastic parts that make up the instrument.
These include but are not limited to:
- Tuning machines
- Pickguard
- Bridge
- Strings
- Strap buttons
- Pickups
- Tailpiece
- Control knobs
Fender’s acoustic guitars are known for having a very solid and durable construction.
The company has generally always used high-quality materials for its products, which is evident in many of the different successful models that they’ve built throughout the years.
If you are considering an acoustic guitar based on its hardware, you must ensure that it is of high quality and appears to be strong enough to withstand regular use.
Plastic saddles on the bridge, for example, are common on lower-quality guitars, which can have a detrimental impact on the instrument’s tone and intonation, as well as making it more difficult to tune.
Also, check sure that the metal pieces themselves are not prone to rusting or tarnishing, and that they appear to be strong, durable, and not easily damaged.
A well-sounding and playable guitar needs good hardware, and there are a few things that a manufacturer can do to make it ideal for us.
Let’s look at it more closely!
– Tuning Machines
On this Fender Villager 12-String, the tuning machines are made of nickel, and have a sealed design.
- Type: Sealed
- Design: Sealed
Tuning machines (generally referred to as “tuners”) are an essential aspect of every guitar’s hardware.
They’re in charge of keeping the strings tight and firm so they can vibrate properly and produce the right pitch.
Low-quality tuning machines can ruin even the best guitar, so choose smartly.
This is because the tuning machines are what keep the strings tight on the guitar.
When they’re not functioning properly, the strings can become loose and hence, out of tune.
They can also make changing strings and playing the guitar more challenging.
Must Remember:
A good tuning machine is made of long-lasting materials and operates with accuracy and precision.
Make sure to avoid materials like nickel-plated steel or stainless steel to prevent rust.
These materials are also less likely to tarnish, so your guitar will maintain its appearance for a longer period of time.
– Pickguard
The Fender Villager 12-String comes with a gold pickguard that has a 3-ply plain design.
- Color: Gold
- Design: 3-Ply Plain
Having multiple layers on the pickguard means that it is more durable and can resist scratches better.
Most pickguards are made of plastic, and nowadays maybe even carbon fiber, and there are a few different designs that you’ll come across.
Their aim is to keep the pick from scratching the guitar’s finish while you’re playing.
A decent pickguard should be built of a strong material that can survive repeated use.
Additionally, the pickguard should be in a position where it is likely to actually provide protection.
In terms of look, the pickguard must blend with the guitar’s overall design.
It shouldn’t be too intrusive or stand out too much, but it also shouldn’t be so small or low-quality that it looks out of place.
– Strap Buttons
Both strap buttons on the Fender Villager 12-String are constructed of nickel, appear to be fairly strong, and are located at the bottom and side of heel of the guitar.
Strap buttons are those little metal buttons installed on the guitar’s body that are used to secure a strap to the instrument.
Usually, guitars will have two strap buttons, one on each side of the body.
Metal strap buttons should be robust and well-secured to avoid coming off or loose over time.
Even while the quality of the strap buttons is unlikely to be a deal-breaker for most individuals, it’s still something to consider.
Body
The bridge, neck, and strings are all joined to the guitar’s body, which is the most important section of the instrument.
A hole (the “soundhole”) through which sound can resonate from within the instrument can also be found here.
The majority of guitars have a wooden body, while others have carbon fiber, metal, or plastic bodies (less usual).
– Wood
If you have a specific tone in mind for your guitar, you should take into account the type of wood used for the body.
The Fender Villager 12-String features a solid spruce top with a laminated mahogany back and laminated mahogany sides.
Having a solid top is important because it means that the wood hasn’t been laminated, which could affect the sound quality since laminated wood is often thinner.
When wood is laminated, this means that strips of wood are glued together to create a piece.
– Finish
The body finish is the final layer of protection for the wood of the guitar body.
When it comes to this guitar in specific, it has a gloss poly finish.
It’s what gives the guitar its brilliance and shine, but also protects the wood from scratches, dents, and other damages.
There are many types of finishes that you’ll come across, some of them are:
- Polyurethane
- Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Polyester
Nitrocellulose Lacquer is considered to be the best type of finish, but it’s also the most expensive.
It’s a durable finish that can be buffed to a high shine, and it’s also relatively easy to repair if it’s damaged.
Polyurethane is a cheaper alternative that’s almost as good, and Polyester is the cheapest option but it doesn’t provide as much protection.
Among these categories, there are subcategories as well, such as:
- Gloss finishes: High shine and they’re very reflective.
- Matte finishes: Have a lower shine and they’re not very reflective.
- Satin finishes: Somewhere in-between gloss and matte, they have a moderate shine and they’re somewhat reflective.
– Colors Available
When it comes to the body of a guitar, the color is usually not a big factor in the overall sound.
Yet, it can affect the instrument’s appearance and feel.
Some people prefer a guitar that’s a certain color because it matches their style, or because it’s easier to see in low light conditions.
Some of the most popular colors for guitar bodies are:
- Natural: This is the color of wood that hasn’t been stained or painted.
- Black: Black is a popular color for metal-style guitars.
- Sunburst: Sunburst is a combination of light and dark colors, usually red, yellow, and brown.
Choosing a guitar based on its color is purely a matter of personal preference.
But if you do take your time and choose something that you’re happy with, you’ll be much more likely to play it often and develop your skills quicker.
– Bridge, Saddle, and Pins
The Fender Villager 12-String has modern viking bridge with cream colored with black dots pins and also a saddle made of graph tech nubone.
Each of these elements has a significant impact on how the guitar sounds and feels.
For example, the bridge is responsible for transferring the vibrations of the strings to the body of the guitar.
The saddle, which is commonly constructed of plastic or bone, is where the strings rest.
On the other hand, the pins, are what keep the strings in place.
There are many various types of bridges, each with their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
On acoustic guitars, you’ll mainly see three types of bridges:
- Pin bridges (standard)
- Pinless bridges
- Classical bridge
Pin bridges are the most prominent type of bridge and the simplest to rebuild and replace.
However, they can be a bit more difficult to intonate, which means getting the strings in the correct position.
Pinless bridges are bit less common, although they are easy to intonate as well.
They also have the advantage of not requiring any pins, which can be a pain to keep track of.
Finally, the vast majority of classical guitar bridges are only seen on classical guitars.
They’re similar in shape that most other bridges, but the main difference is that they don’t have any pins and just consist of a saddle and wooden block that has a hole for each string.
Said hole is used to tie the string down, which gives the guitar a much cleaner look.
Now, the type of saddle you choose is also important; plastic saddles are the cheapest and easiest to find, but they don’t last as long as bone saddles.
The cost of bone saddles tend to be more, but they are also more durable than other options.
As for the bridge pins, there are three main types:
- Plastic bridge pins
- Steel bridge pins
- Brass bridge pins
Plastic bridge pins are the cheapest and easiest to find, but they are known to be the least durable.
Steel bridge pins are more expensive, but they’re also more durable in many ways.
Brass bridge pins are the most expensive, but they’re also the most durable our of the three.
Neck
The Fender Villager 12-String, has a neck that is made of mahogany with a satin urethane finish, and it has a Slim “C” shape with an adjustable truss rod.
The neck is the long, thin component of the guitar that runs from the body to the headstock and is generally made of wood.
The type of wood that’s used for the neck can affect the guitar’s playability and sound since different woods have different properties and impact the way that the vibrations produced by the strings behave.
The bolt-on neck is the most prevalent type of neck, which is screwed or bolted onto the guitar’s body.
Another popular construction is the set-neck, which is whenever the neck is just glued to the body.
The fretboard, frets, nut, and truss rod are all crucial components of a guitar neck.
Fretboard
The fretboard is the surface on the neck of the guitar where your fingers push down on the strings.
It’s most commonly made of wood, although it can also be made of carbon fiber, plastic, or even metal.
The Fender Villager 12-String has a fretboard made of walnut with a radius of 12″ (305 mm) and white dot inlays:
Despite the fact that this has traditionally been a point of controversy, it is widely accepted that the type of wood used for the fretboard might have a small impact on the sound of the guitar.
Maple, for instance, is a popular material for electric guitars because it produces a sharp and rich tone.
Rosewood is another popular material for acoustic guitars because it provides a warm and full-bodied tone.
Ebony is yet another popular choice, and it’s often used on guitars that are meant to have a really clean, clear sound.
There are several varieties of fretboards available, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
The sort of fretboard you pick is ultimately up to you and what you’re looking for in a guitar; the tone will not change dramatically, but the feel will.
Brand Info
Fender is a leading manufacturer of electric guitars, and they’ve been in business since 1946.
They’re one of the most iconic guitar brands in the world, and their instruments are used by some of the most famous musicians of all time.
Also, the company offers a wide range of different models, from simple beginner guitars to complex professional instruments.
Their guitars are known for their great tone and quality craftsmanship, and they’re a popular choice for both beginner and experienced players.
At the same time, Fender guitars are very affordable, making them a great option for budget-conscious musicians.
Videos
For those of you who want to get a more in-depth look at this guitar, we’ve included some videos below.
The first video is a demo showing off how it sounds and looks.
While the second video is a review that goes over some of its features and specs.
Demo
Review
Specifications
A guitar’s specifications can tell you a lot about the instrument, and they can be helpful when you’re trying to decide between different models.
Below, we’ve included the specifications for the Fender Villager 12-String:
– General
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | Villager 12-String |
| Type | Acoustic |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Hardware Plating | Nickel |
| Tuning Machines | Sealed |
| Tuning Machines Design | Sealed |
| Electro-acoustic | Yes |
| Built-in Tuner | No |
| Colors | Black |
– Body
| Body Style | Newporter |
| Cutaway | No |
| Solid Top | Yes |
| Top Material | Solid Spruce |
| Back Material | Laminated Mahogany |
| Sides Material | Laminated Mahogany |
| Finish Type | Gloss Poly |
| Pickguard | Yes |
| Pickguard Color | Gold |
| Pickguard Design | 3-Ply Plain |
| Strap Buttons | Yes |
| Strap Buttons Position | Bottom and side of heel |
| Strap Buttons Design | Classic |
– Neck
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Neck Shape | Slim “C” |
| Neck Finish | Satin Urethane |
| Scale Length | 24.72″ (628 mm) |
| Truss Rod | Adjustable |
– Fretboard
| Fretboard Material | Walnut |
| Fingerboard Inlay | White Dot |
| Fret Size | 2mm |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
– Bridge, nut, saddle, pins
| Bridge Pins | Cream Colored with Black Dots |
| Bridge | Modern Viking |
| Saddle Material | Graph Tech NuBone |
| Nut Material | Graph Tech NuBone |
| Nut Width | 1.77″ (45 mm) |
Please note that some brands might change the features and type of materials that they have and use on their guitars.
If you see a discrepancy in any of these specifications, please let us know and we’ll correct it.
I also encourage you to check out our other guitar reviews if you’re looking for something specific that you might have not found here with this guitar.
We have reviews on electric guitars, acoustic guitars, bass guitars, effects pedals, and more.
No matter what your budget is, or what type of guitar you’re looking for, we should be able to help you find the perfect one for you.
Born and raised in Florida! I’ve been playing guitars for the past 5 years. Love to learn, and I’m always striving to achieve greater heights in music. Currently have a Fender Stratocaster as my main guitar.
